Hospital sued by husband of pregnant, brain dead Texas woman

Dallas, Texas – The husband of a pregnant, brain dead Texas woman has filed a lawsuit against the hospital that has been keeping her on life support. As reported by the Associated Press (AP), Erick Munoz filed the suit in state district court in Fort Worth. His wife, Marlise Munoz, who was found unconscious in her home on Nov. 26, has been kept on life support since.

According to her family, what exactly caused her condition remains unknown. Erick Munoz, who like his wife is a paramedic, says his wife’s wishes were to be taken off of life support if she were to suffer a condition like the one she is in. There has been a refusal by John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth to remove her from life support; however, due to her being pregnant. The hospital says state law requires continued treatment for patients who are pregnant.

The lawsuit is quoted as stating, “Marlise Munoz is dead, and she gave clear instructions to her husband and family — Marlise was not to remain on any type of artificial ‘life sustaining treatment,’ ventilators or the like… There is no reason JPS should be allowed to continue treatment on Marlise Munoz’s dead body, and this court should order JPS to immediately discontinue such.”

Hospital spokeswoman J.R. Labbe is quoted as previously stating of hospital officials standing by their position, “This is not a difficult decision for us. We are following the law.”